Abstract: Compounds of formula (I), wherein X is selected from the group consisting of O, and NR3, where R3 represents a lower alkyl group; Y is selected from the group consisting of CH and N; R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of NH2, NHR4 and NR52, where R4 and R5 each represent a lower alkyl group, or R1 and R2 together represent a cycle selected from (a), (b) and (c), wherein R6, R7 and R8 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, lower alkyl groups, hydroxy groups and lower alkoxy groups; and Z is selected from the group consisting of O.

Abstract: The compound referred to herein as IB-962 12, having structure (I) can be obtained by cultivating the strain of Micromonospora sp. ES25-008, available under the accession number CECT-3333, and can be hydrolyzed to give IB-96212B having structure (II). The sugar substituent which is L-rhodinose, can its elf be derivatized or the sugar can be replaced, in either case, giving further derivatives of IB-96212 having a group other than L-rhodinose at the position of the sugar.

Abstract: The present invention discloses new cytotoxic tris(oxazole)-containing macrolides having the formula: wherein X represents a lower alkyl; R1 and R2 represent hydrogen or lower alkyl; R3a represents hydrogen, and R3b represents or R3a and R3b together represent oxygen; R4 represents hydrogen, lower alkoxy or lower alkyl; R5 represents hydrogen, carbamoyl, or lower alkanoyl; R6a represents hydrogen, and R6b represents hydroxy, or R6a and R6b together represent oxygen; R7 represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, or hydroxymethyl; R8 represents lower alkoxy or lower alkyl; Y1 represents hydrogen or methyl, and y2 represents hydrogen, or Y1 and Y2 together represent a double bond. Also disclose are methods for treating mammals using the macrolides and pharmaceutical preparations including the macrolides.

Abstract: An optimization process for optimizing inputs data relating to a function of a plurality of input-signals for which it is desired to find output values which give an optimum value of the function. Such output values are found by performing a plurality of cycles to reach a convergence, each of which cycles includes: (a) providing an old current value of each input signal, (b) selecting a test value of one or more input signals; (c) generating the function from the selected test values; and (d) selecting a new current value in dependence upon the relationship between the value of the function for the test value and the value of the function for the old current value. The test values include values close to old current values so as to move the input signal towards a local convergence for the output values.

Abstract: A circuit board grounding scheme has a series of slots that are self-aligning with a series of conductive standoffs. Each standoff has a tapered head supported by a neck and a base that is coupled to a conductive member. A narrow portion of the tapered head of each standoff penetrates a corresponding one of the slots in the circuit board, aligning the circuit board with the standoffs. Once aligned with the standoffs, the circuit board rests on the bases of the standoffs in a neutral position. The circuit board is then biased toward the necks of the standoffs, becoming wedged in a non-uniform gap that is formed between a wide end of the tapered head and the base of each standoff. One or more ground areas on the circuit board contacts the wide end of the tapered head or the base of the standoff. The standoffs are coupled to the conductive member using fasteners, or the standoffs are compression fit into the conductive member. Alternatively, the standoffs are formed to be continuous with the conductive member.

Abstract: The hot-runner coinjection distributor block arrangement comprises several block parts (6, 7) which with the help of heating elements (8) may be brought to differing temperatures. These block parts (6, 7) are spaced from one another with an intermediate piece (9) and are supported via a support element (10) on the head plate (2). In this support element (10) spring elements, preferably a disc spring (11) is incorporated, which spaces the support element (10) from the head plate (2) and press the two block parts (6, 7) onto one another also in the cold mode. In the hot mode these disc springs (11) permit an axial expansion of the block parts (6, 7) and reduce the tension force exerted onto the support element (10). Peg-like formations of the intermediate piece (9) and of the support element (10) ensure that the bores for the guiding of the closure needle or of the feed channel (13) by the thermal expansion of the block parts (6, 7) are retained, i.e. are not laterally displaced.

Abstract: The invention concerns an ejector for a discharging device for the removal of preforms which enables a partially cooled preform to be detached safely from a form tool and, on complete cooling, to be likewise removed from the discharging device safely and completely.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device for coaxial systems ensures that center conductors of coaxial cables are discharged prior to insertion of the cables into a coaxial connector of an electronic instrument. The device includes a conductive mounting post fastened to the instrument and conductive hinge, pivotally mounted to an end of the post. The conductive hinge has a raised target area for contacting the center conductor of a conductive cable. Prior to insertion of the cable into the coaxial connector, the conductive hinge rests in a neutral position, obstructing access of the cable to the coaxial connector. When the cable is advanced toward the coaxial connector of an electronic instrument, the center conductor of the cable contacts the target area, thereby grounding the center conductor to the instrument through the conductive hinge and conductive mounting post.

Abstract: The lamellarin compounds disclosed herein have been found to be inhibitors of MDR, i.e., acquired multidrug resistance, which has become a major problem in the treatment of various cancers. The lamellarin compounds disclosed herein have also been found to be cytotoxic to MDR cells. MDR is believed to be associated with certain alterations in tumor cells, including an over-expression of a certain high molecular weight membrane glycoprotein and a decrease in the ability of the tumor cell to accumulate and retain chemotherapeutic agents. The present invention is thus directed to methods of treating MDR-type tumors with an effective anti-MDR amount (either inhibitory or cytotoxic) of one or more lamellarin compounds, which compounds have been found to be effective antitumoral agents against MDR cells.

Abstract: A sanitary beverage cooler. This invention provides for a sanitary beverage cooler which is affixed to the open top of a beverage-holding container such as a can or bottle. The sanitary beverage cooler is filled with a cooling substance such as a plurality of ice cubes. As the beverage passes through the opening in the beverage-holding container, either by tilting or by use of a straw, and into the orifice defined by the cylindrical receptacle of the beverage cooler, the beverage becomes cooled by the cooling substance which is contained within the beverage cooler. The user is thereby able to affix the beverage cooler to a beverage-holding container containing a warm beverage, and drink the beverage contained therein after it has been cooled by cooling substance without the possibility of the beverage being diluted by continuous and prolonged contact with the cooling substance.

Abstract: The lamellarin compounds disclosed herein have been found to be inhibitors of MDR, i.e., acquired multidrug resistance, which has become a major problem in the treatment of various cancers. The lamellarin compounds disclosed herein have also been found to be cytotoxic to MDR cells. MDR is believed to be associated with certain alterations in tumor cells, including an over-expression of a certain high molecular weight membrane glycoprotein and a decrease in the ability of the tumor cell to accumulate and retain chemotherapeutic agents. The present invention is thus directed to methods of treating MDR-type tumors with an effective anti-MDR amount (either inhibitory or cytotoxic) of one or more lamellarin compounds, which compounds have been found to be effective antitumoral agents against MDR cells.

Abstract: A communications network in which user equipment is provided with a selecting device which communicates with a pricing device in service provider equipment. When communications or other services are required, the selection circuit polls a plurality of service providers, and the pricing circuit of each service provider generates a price signal indicating the level of price for its services. The selection circuit then selects a service provider, based on price (and also other factors such as quality of service).

Abstract: A multi-plate injection molding tool has multiple cavities. It includes a hot-runner plate, a hot-runner distribution block adjacent to the hot-runner plate, and a plurality of hot-runner nozzles. The hot-runner distribution block is a monolithic seamless metal block. A lower die plate is removably attached to the hot-runner plate, and an upper die bolster is adjustably attached to the lower die plate and is movable along fixed guide columns. The upper die bolster comprises a base plate, a stripping plate and a slide plate. A plurality of form cores are supported on the upper die bolster, and a plurality of annular stamps are attached to the lower die plate, each being around a form core and each having a conical exterior surface tapered towards the lower die plate, and cooperating with a die; a plurality of dies is carried by the lower die plate, and each has a mating conical surface for receiving the conical surface of a stamp in close fit therewith when the molding tool is closed.

Abstract: Apparatus for placing a mark on the spine of a tape cassette at a location therealong corresponding to the length of the selection on the tape in which cassettes successively loaded with the selection from a pancake tape having the same selection recorded thereon a plurality of times are passed to a marking station at which a marking device is moved from a home position to a second position spaced therefrom by a distance equal to the length of the selection in response to the loading of a selection into an empty cassette. The marking device is actuated in response to movement of a cassette into the marking station with its spine extending in a direction from the home position toward the second position of the marking device. The exhausting of the pancake tape is sensed to return the marking device to its home position.

Abstract: Apparatus for the simultaneous production of preforms consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fed and distributed to a plurality of cavities. In order to reduce the occurrence of acetaldehyde formation in a cavity, for example, a heated distributor block used in the production of preforms of the PET material, the material flowing through a channel is subjected to additional turbulence. To this end, an element, preferably of metal, is installed in the channels, such element being provided with sets of radial spokes which are azimuthally offset in relation to each other in the axial direction. Besides inducing turbulence, such spokes act as homogenizing elements serving to diffuse heat over the cross section of the flowing process material.

Abstract: The method is used to process a synthetic moulding compound which crystallizes within a specific temperature range. In order to prevent milkiness in the blank to be produced, the moulding compound is chilled. The method prevents such milkiness, at least in the gate area of the blank, by keeping all of the moulding compound, during the operating cycle, as far as the gate area, at a temperature which is above the temperature T.sub.CC below which the moulding compound begins to crystallize. A gate system, which may be used to carry out the method, uses, in the interior of the injection nozzle, a strongly heat conducting nozzle core, a strongly heat conducting area in the immediate vicinity of the gate opening, and a gap for heat insulation of the nozzle tip, the nozzle core and the moulded body.

Abstract: A liquid metal cooled pool type nuclear reactor incorporates an emergency heat exchanger having a novel geometry. The heat exchanger comprises circular and annular tube plates coaxially aligned. The tube bundle has a vertical straight part connected to the central tube plate, a bent horizontal circular portion extending over one-third of the heat exchanger's circumference for returning the bundle, and a vertical straight return part joining the peripheral tube plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for thermal protection of a component of a fast-neutron nuclear reactor consisting of at least one shell (10, 11) of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the passage (2) for the component (4) but greater than the diameter of the component (4). The length of the shell (10, 11) fixed under the flange (5) of the component (4) is greater than the slab thickness (1). Circulation of blanket gas (13) is established in the annular space (7) between the component (4) and the passage (2).The invention applies in particular to nuclear reactors cooled with liquid sodium whose upper level is under an argon blanket.

Abstract: An injection mold assembly wherein moldable material is delivered to a plurality of injection molds through a manifold runner and wherein flow into each mold is controlled by a gate valve. The gate valve is mounted independently of the manifold runner and has a valve stem which extends freely through a valve stem passage in the manifold runner with there being an actuator on the side of the manifold runner remote from the injection mold for reciprocating the valve stem to effect opening and closing of the gate valve.